Page 14 of Cryptic Curse

It’s so freeing.For both of us.

“Okay, Bee,” I say, “Let’s go.”

We walk through the huge kitchen and through the laundry area to the garage.It’s an enormous four-car garage, and the car Vinnie bought me—a Ford Mustang, which I love—is on the farthest side.He said he’d hire a driver for me, but I didn’t want one.He’s already done so much, and he doesn’t even use his own driver much anymore, now that his grandfather is gone and he’s doing only legitimate business.His chauffeur and his bodyguard are still on staff, but they’re treated more like general security now.

“Do you think Vinnie will buy me a car like this when I’m sixteen?”Belinda asks me.

“If I know Vinnie,” I say, “he will buy you whatever your little heart desires.But remember to be grateful.”

She widens her eyes.“Are you kidding me?I’m grateful every day for Vinnie.Raven, too.It’s so wonderful to wake up every morning andnotfeel afraid.”Her lip trembles slightly, but she stiffens it.“I guess I don’t really know how to explain it, you know?”

I actuallydoknow, but I haven’t told Belinda what I’ve gone through.She needs to see me as a symbol of strength right now.She draws it from me, and in my way, I draw it right back from her.

I click the garage door opener, and Belinda and I get in the car.

As I turn on the engine, I turn to Belinda.“By the way, Vinnie says he’s going to take us to dinner after they’re done at the hospital.To that place with the great ice cream sundaes that you like.”

Her eyes light up.“That’s awesome!”

The brightness and sparkle in her blue eyes make my heart warm.

And in this moment I’m not sure I want to fall in love, or get married, or ever leave this house.

Because I don’t want to leave this little girl.

Am I her big sister?Her mother?Does it matter?

She’s become the most important person in the world to me.

I never want to be without her in my life.

5

HAWK

“You’re going to wear out those tiles, man,” Vinnie says to me, stopping me as I’m pacing up and down the hospital corridor.

“I’m good,” I say.

“What’s eating at you, Hawk?”my sister asks.

“For starters, the fact that they won’t let you in to see our own damned father,” I say.

The private security guard arrived a few minutes ago, and he’s standing sentry at the door of my father’s room.I give him the evil eye.

“I’m fine,” Raven says.“You heard Falcon.If the security team and the attorneys think it’s a good idea…”

“Yeah, whatever.”I start on my second lap around the corridor.

What Falcon says goes.

I don’t begrudge him that.He’s the oldest, and damned if he hasn’t done his time to earn his place as our unofficial leader.Eight years in prison to protect our younger brother who can’t even be bothered to be here.

I’ve called Eagle’s cell phone three times now, and it’s gone to voicemail each time.

Fuck.If anything ought to be able to get his attention, it’s his father coming out of a damned coma.

One more time.The last time.I punch the phone hard to call his number.

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